In the case of Theodorakis, though, it is his deep-seated dislike of the Jewish state that came to the fore. And while this kind of reflexive delegitimazation of Israel is what drives many if not most public displays of celebrity anti-Semitism, it is the one factor assiduously ignored by the mainstream media – which helps explain why Theodorakis’s outburst, as opposed to the others, went largely unreported.

By its failure to attach weight to anti-Israel inspired anti-Semitism, the media get the story only half right.

Benjamin Weinthal is a Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. His work has appeared in a variety of media outlets including National Review Online, The Wall Street Journal Europe, The Weekly Standard and The Jewish Press.

About the Author:Benjamin Weinthal is a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. (www.defenddemocracy.org

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